168. Our Lord's Attitude in Ascension.

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. - Luke 24:50.

JESUS having spoiled the grave, and sanctified the earth, now purified the air as he passed through it on his way to heaven.

He arose to heaven in a manner worthy of special note. We will review a few points connected with his ascension.

1. The time he sojourned on earth after his resurrection, namely, forty days, sufficed to prove his identity, to remove doubts, to instruct his disciples, and to give them their commission.

2. The place from which he rose was a mountain, a mount where he afore-time had communed with them. This mount looked down on Bethany, his dearest earthly rest; and was near to Gethsemane, the place of his supreme agony.

3. The witnesses were enough in number to convince the candid, persons who had long been familiar with him, who could not be deceived as to his identity.

They were persons of character, of simplicity of nature, of ripe years, and of singularly cool temperament.

4. The scene itself was very remarkable.

· So unlike what superstition would have devised.

· So quiet—no chariot of fire and horses of fire.

· So majestic—no angels, nor other agents to lend imaginary splendor; but the Lord's own power and Godhead in sublime simplicity working all. Our chosen theme at this time shall be the last posture in which our ascending Lord was seen.

I. HIS HANDS WERE UPLIFTED TO BLESS.

l. This blessing was no unusual thing. To stretch out his hands in benediction was his customary attitude. In that attitude he departed, with a benediction still proceeding from his lips.

2. This blessing was with authority. He blessed them while his Father acknowledged him by receiving him to heaven.

3. This blessing was so full that, as it were, he emptied his hands. They saw those dear hands thus unladen of their benedictions.

4. The blessing was for those beneath him, and beyond the sound of his voice: he scattered benedictions upon them all.

5. The blessing was the fit finis of his sojourn here: nothing fitter, nothing better, could have been thought of.

II. THOSE HANDS WERE PIERCED. This could be seen by them all as they gazed upward.

1. Thus they knew that they were Christ's hands.

2. Thus they saw the price of the blessing. His crucifixion has purchased continual blessing for all his redeemed.

3. Thus they saw the way of the blessing: it comes from those human hands, through those sacrificial wounds.

4. A sight of those hands is in itself a blessing. By that sight we see pardon and eternal life.

5. The entire action is an epitome of the gospel. This is the substance of the matter—"hands pierced distribute benedictions." Jesus, through suffering and death, has power to bless us out of the highest heaven.

This is the last that was seen of our Lord.

He has not changed his attitude of benediction.

He will not change it till he shall descend in his glory.

III. THOSE HANDS SWAY THE SCEPTER.

His hands are omnipotent. Those very hands, which blessed his disciples, now hold, on their behalf, the scepter—

1. Of providence: both in small affairs and greater matters.

2. Of the spiritual kingdom: the church and all its work.

3. Of the future judgment, and the eternal reign.

Let us worship him, for he has ascended on high.

Let us rejoice in all the fruit of his ascension, to him, and to us.

Let us continue praising him, and proclaiming his glory.